Shelving system

Abstract

A shelving system comprises four corner columns, a plurality of substantially horizontal support beams, and a plurality of beam braces. Each of the support beams extends between two of the four corner columns, and each support beam is paired with a corresponding second support beam to form pairs of support beams. Each of the beam braces extends between the support beams of one of the pairs of support beams and comprises a first end portion, a second end portion, and a middle portion. The first and second end portions comprise substantially planar faces. The middle portion is between the first end portion and the second end portion and comprises first and second edges, wherein the first end portion and the second end portion extend away from the first and second edges, respectively, in opposite directions.

What is claimed: 
     
       1. A shelving system comprising:
 four corner columns comprising a plurality of slots arranged substantially vertically; 
 a plurality of substantially horizontal support beams, each of the support beams extending between two of the four corner columns, wherein each support beam is paired with a corresponding second support beam to form pairs of support beams and wherein each support beam comprises:
 an outer face; 
 an upper horizontal face extending from the outer face; 
 an inward face extending from the upper horizontal face; 
 a shelf support ledge extending from the inward face, the shelf support ledge comprising one or more slot openings; and 
 a lower horizontal face extending from the outer face, the lower horizontal face comprising one or more beam openings; 
 
 a plurality of beam braces, each of the beam braces extending between the support beams of one of the pairs of support beams and comprising:
 a first end portion comprising:
 a substantially planar first face; and 
 tabs extending from opposing ends of the first face, the tabs sized to fit into the slot openings; 
 
 a second end portion comprising a substantially planar second face with brace openings proximate to opposing ends of the second face, the brace openings aligning with the beam openings; and 
 a middle portion between the first end portion and the second end portion comprising first and second edges, wherein the first end portion and the second end portion extend away from the first and second edges, respectively, in opposite directions. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The shelving system of  claim 1 , wherein the middle portion comprises:
 a vertical segment; 
 upper and lower inclined segments extending angularly from the vertical segment; 
 an upper portion extending from the upper inclined segment; 
 a lower portion extending from the lower inclined segment; and 
 notches on opposing ends of the middle portion, the notches extending at least a portion through the upper portion and the upper inclined segment. 
 
     
     
       3. The shelving system of  claim 1 , wherein the middle portion comprises an inclined surface, the inclined surface having an angle away from a vertical plane. 
     
     
       4. The shelving system of  claim 3 , wherein the angle is such that the first face and the second face are substantially aligned with one another. 
     
     
       5. The shelving system of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more fasteners, wherein the beam openings and the brace openings are adapted to engage with the fasteners to secure the beam braces to the support beams. 
     
     
       6. The shelving system of  claim 1 , further comprising a pin extending through at least one beam opening on each of the support beams, the pin also extending through a corresponding one of the brace openings on one of the beam braces to allow for pivotable movement of the beam brace with respect to the support beam. 
     
     
       7. The shelving system of  claim 6 , wherein the pin comprises opposed ends, and wherein a diameter of the opposed ends is greater than a diameter of the brace openings or the beam openings. 
     
     
       8. A shelving system comprising:
 four corner columns, wherein each of the corner columns comprises a plurality of slots arranged substantially vertically; 
 a plurality of substantially horizontal support beams, each of the support beams extending between two of the four corner columns, wherein each support beam is paired with a corresponding second support beam to form pairs of support beams and wherein each support beam comprises:
 an outer face; 
 an upper horizontal face extending from the outer face; 
 an inward face extending from the upper horizontal face; 
 a shelf support ledge extending from the inward face; and 
 a lower horizontal face extending from the outer face; and 
 
 a plurality of beam braces, each of the beam braces extending between the support beams of one of the pairs of support beams and comprising:
 a first end portion comprising a substantially planar first face; 
 a second end portion comprising a substantially planar second face; and 
 a middle portion between the first end portion and the second end portion comprising first and second edges, wherein the first face and the second face extend away from the first and second edges, respectively, in opposite directions; 
 
 wherein each of the beam braces is pivotably connected with one of the support beams. 
 
     
     
       9. The shelving system of  claim 8 , further comprising a plurality of fasteners, wherein the fasteners pivotably connect the upper horizontal face with the first end portion and the lower horizontal face with the second end portion. 
     
     
       10. The shelving system of  claim 8 , wherein the shelf support ledge comprises one or more slot openings, wherein the first end portion comprises a tab extending from one end of the first face, and wherein the tab is sized to fit into the slot openings. 
     
     
       11. The shelving system of  claim 8 , wherein the lower horizontal face comprises one or more beam openings, wherein the second end portion comprises a knob extending from the second face, and wherein the knob is sized to engage with the beam openings. 
     
     
       12. A shelving system according to  claim 1 , further comprising one or more shelving racks attached to two of the corner columns, wherein each of the shelving racks comprises:
 a rack surface; and 
 two brackets, wherein each of the brackets comprises:
 a support member adapted to support the rack surface; 
 an attachment flange comprising one or more rack tabs adapted to engage with the slots on one of the corner columns; and 
 an upright member extending from the attachment flange, wherein the attachment flange and the upright member are adapted to rest against the corner column. 
 
 
     
     
       13. A shelving system according to  claim 1 , further comprising one or more door assemblies attached to two of the corner columns, wherein each of the door assemblies comprises:
 a door panel; and 
 one or more hinge plates pivotably connected to the door panel, wherein each of the hinge plates comprises:
 a first hinge member comprising one or more hinge tabs adapted to engage with the slots on one of the corner columns; and 
 a second hinge member extending from the first hinge member, wherein the first and second hinge members are adapted to rest against the corner column. 
 
 
     
     
       14. A shelving system according to  claim 1 , further comprising one or more hook plates attached to two of the corner columns, wherein each of the hook plates comprises:
 first and second plate ends, wherein each of the first and second plate ends comprises:
 a plate attachment member comprising one or more plate tabs adapted to engage with the slots on one of the corner columns; and 
 a plate support member extending from the plate attachment member, wherein the plate attachment member and the plate support member are adapted to rest against the corner column; and 
 
 a central plate comprising one or more central plate slots and extending between the first and second plate ends. 
 
     
     
       15. A shelving system according to  claim 1 , further comprising one or more pegboard assemblies attached to one or more of the corner columns, wherein each of the pegboard assemblies comprises:
 a pegboard; and 
 one or more pegboard brackets attached to the pegboard, wherein each of the pegboard brackets comprises:
 a first bracket member comprising one or more bracket tabs adapted to engage with the slots on one of the corner columns; and 
 a second bracket member extending from the first bracket member, wherein the first and second bracket members are adapted to rest against the corner column. 
 
 
     
     
       16. A shelving system according to  claim 1 , further comprising one or more wall ties for attaching the shelving system to a wall, wherein the wall tie comprises:
 a hook portion adapted to engage with one of the support beams; and 
 an anchor portion attached to the wall, wherein the anchor portion is removably attached to the hook portion.